The Emperor’s personal arrival—even if not in the flesh—still brought grandeur.
For example, the palace maid sisters who made Qin Mu unconsciously give a thumbs up in praise.
They were truly impressive.
Qin Mu watched, eyes glued.
He didn’t notice that behind him, Wang Yan’er’s face was growing darker by the second.
Looking at the palace maids, Wang Yan’er lowered her head.
As the saying goes, when you lower your head and don’t see your toes, then you are a peerless beauty.
Thinking of this, her expression eased a little.
Hmph!
A bunch of little—brat girls.
Of course, with Yan’er Aunt accompanying him, Qin Mu naturally didn’t dare to stare at the palace maid sisters for too long.
Otherwise, he’d be in trouble later.
After all, the sisters tended to throw mysterious tantrums for no reason.
Later, after repeated death-defying experiments, Qin Mu finally reached a conclusion and proposed the Great Law, which he called the Three-Minute Rule—that is, one must not stare at other beautiful sisters for more than three minutes.
Unfortunately, this great discovery could only be applied to himself.
When Lu Qian saw Qin Mu arrive, her eyes, which had been rather indifferent, immediately brightened.
If not for her own status, she would have dragged Mu’er to sit by her side long ago.
However, seeing Wang Yan’er laughing and chatting with Mu’er, Lu Qian bit her silver teeth in anger.
This hateful home-stealing fox vixen!
The Emperor at the side naturally sensed Lu Qian’s emotional fluctuations and turned slightly.
“Lu Sect Leader, are you interested in a certain talented individual?”
At his words, Lu Qian shook her head.
“Your Majesty, you misunderstand. I merely saw a member of the younger generation who came with me.”
The Emperor grew interested and followed her gaze.
He saw a handsome young man eating and drinking alone, cheeks puffed out, completely out of place with the others.
As for the strikingly curvaceous beauty beside the youth, the Emperor also recognized her.
He also knew of the relationship between this beauty and Lu Qian.
With that, the Emperor beckoned, and a Eunuch beside him immediately stepped forward.
“Go prepare some delicacies for that little Gongzi.”
Qin Mu entered the inner court.
Though there were only tea snacks, the taste was truly excellent!
While eating and drinking, Qin Mu listened to the surrounding scholars exchanging poetry.
“Mu’er? Make a few poems for Yan’er Aunt to hear, would you?”
Wang Yan’er’s beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Ah?”
Qin Mu’s hand paused.
“Yan’er Aunt, that’s a bit out of my league.
I’m not versed in the true essence of poetry.”
“Really?”
Wang Yan’er asked, unwilling to give up.
Qin Mu thought for a moment.
Come to think of it, he could use some poetry from his previous life to please Yan’er Aunt.
Looking up at the bright moon, Qin Mu pondered and decided.
Yes, it would be you—the famed Song of the Water Melody!
“Cough, cough, Yan’er Aunt, let me say first, I also heard this poem from someone else.
I didn’t write it myself.”
Though he said so, Wang Yan’er firmly believed Mu’er was just being humble.
Qin Mu swallowed the food in his mouth.
“When will the bright moon appear…”
He recited the entire poem, intending to resume eating, but suddenly, a fragrant wind swept by, and a soft, full white bundle pressed against his face.
“Mmmmmm!”
Having finished the poem, Wang Yan’er excitedly hugged her Mu’er and showered his face with kisses.
“Smack, smack! My Mu’er is truly a genius!”
Hearing this poem, not only Wang Yan’er but also the Emperor’s personal Eunuch delivering dishes was stunned by Qin Mu’s recitation.
Relying on years of serving the Emperor, the Eunuch controlled his expression well.
“Gongzi, sorry to disturb you.”
Hearing the voice, Qin Mu finally escaped the soft, plush prison and looked at the man before him in confusion.
“Do you need something from me?”
The Eunuch smiled, clapped his hands, and in an instant, a dozen palace maids each brought a dish and arranged them before Qin Mu.
“Prepared by the Emperor’s order, please enjoy, Gongzi.”
With that, he withdrew.
“The Emperor actually prepared dishes for me!”
Qin Mu could hardly believe it.
Not long after, an old grandfather with a long white beard shouted,
“Silence! Silence! This time, the Emperor has personally come. Talented scholars, display your skills to the fullest! As usual, choose one from the four categories: moon, flower, water, or wood, and compose an original poem. If it’s discovered to be purchased, the offender will be banned from examinations for life and sentenced to thirty years of labor!”
As his words fell, the timing officially began.
At this moment, the Eunuch who had come to report back recited the poem Qin Mu had spoken earlier, word for word.
After hearing the poem, the Emperor smiled and spoke to Lu Qian at his side.
“Lu Sect Leader, earlier you said his talent was mediocre. In my opinion, why not pursue the path of literature instead?”
Lu Qian was equally shocked, never expecting that Mu’er, whose cultivation talent was average, possessed such extraordinary literary talent!
And so, without Qin Mu even knowing, a great title was pinned on his head.
The Eunuch continued.
“Qin Gongzi repeatedly emphasized that he did not compose this poem but copied it.”
The Emperor paid no mind.
“Heh, young people are too humble. Copied? Song of the Water Melody? I’ve never even heard of such a title in my life.”
“Lin Aiqing, have you ever heard of it?”
The Emperor asked the white-bearded elder beside him.
Lin Scholar stroked his beard and thought for a moment.
“Your Majesty, this old minister has also never heard of it. However, to be able to compose such a poem shows that within our Great Yu Dynasty, yet another genius has emerged.”
At this, the Emperor’s gaze locked onto an exceptionally handsome youth.
“He’s the Jing Kun that Lin Aiqing has often mentioned recently?”
“Indeed.”
At this, Lin Scholar smiled with relief.
“Don’t be fooled by his young age. His poetic talent is extraordinary. He excels in all styles—graceful, bold, pastoral, you name it. With just a stroke, he creates wonders. He’s the most monstrous genius this old minister has ever seen!”
The Emperor nodded, though it was unclear what he was thinking.
Before long, the time arrived for the scholars to display their talents.
“Everyone, if you are ready, step forward!”
As Lin Scholar finished, no one moved.
There was no helping it.
The rules hadn’t changed for years.
The themes of moon, flower, water, and wood had been used to compose countless poems.
How could anyone make the Emperor’s eyes shine anew?
It was simply too hard!
A moment passed, and still no one stepped forward.
The Emperor’s gaze landed on Jing Kun.
“You are Jing Kun?”
Upon hearing this, Jing Kun quickly replied.
“Your Majesty, this humble one is.”
“Lin Aiqing says your talent is monstrous. I wish to see for myself. Are you ready?”
Jing Kun grinned.
“I merely know a little. Since that is the case, I shall offer my humble words before Your Majesty. Indeed, this humble one did compose a poem called—Song of the Water Melody.”